Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2016 Jan;59(1):1-8. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2016.59.1.1.

Management of Post-Throidectomy Voice Problems: Surgeon's Perspectives

• Lee SW

• KMID: 2277936
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2016.59.1.1

Abstract

Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury is not the only cause of voice alteration after thyroidectomy; many patients noticed slight voice changes after thyroidectomy, without evidence of RLN injury. Typical symptoms are easy fatigue during phonation and difficulty with high-pitched and singing voices; other symptoms are paresthesia, vague voice changes, throat discomfort, swallowing difficulties, and the feeling of choking. This collection of symptoms appears to be a real syndrome, which we have named post-thyroidectomy syndrome. In the management of these patients with unilateral vocal cord paralysis, injection laryngoplasty techniques have regained popularity in recent years. Because it is easier and less invasive than conventional medialization thyroplasty and may provide equally durable and effective results. As a novel voice rehabilitation procedure, RLN reinnervation has advantages which prevent the progressive loss of thyroarytenoid muscle tone, tension and potential of restoring a normal voice with preserving of laryngeal anatomy. In this manuscript, we could get a lots of useful information how to manage thyroidectomy related vocal fold paralysis with adequate different techniques at different situations.

Keyword

Rehabilitation; Thyroidectomy; Vocal fold paralysis; Voice disorder

MeSH Terms

Airway Obstruction
Deglutition
Fatigue
Humans
Laryngeal Muscles
Laryngoplasty
Paralysis
Paresthesia
Pharynx
Phonation
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve
Rehabilitation
Singing
Thyroidectomy
Vocal Cord Paralysis
Vocal Cords
Voice Disorders
Voice*